Founders Future

In this episode of Founders’ Future, host Michelle Said chats with Michael Marckx, founder of Digital Union Marketing, about his journey from seasoned creative executive to agency founder. With over 30 years of experience in branding, strategy, and digital campaigns, Michael shares how he’s built a firm that puts flexibility and results first—offering full-service marketing with no long-term contracts.

Michael dives into the philosophy behind Digital Union’s unique model, how his passion for cycling parallels his entrepreneurial path, and the future of brand storytelling in an increasingly crowded digital world. A TEDx speaker and advocate for bold creativity, Michael’s insights are perfect for founders, marketers, and creatives looking to break the mold and build something truly impactful.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Laura Skinner welcomes Brendan McGurgan, founder of SimpleScaling Ltd., for a dynamic conversation on entrepreneurship, leadership, and sustainable growth. Brendan shares his journey from corporate leadership to founding a company dedicated to helping businesses scale with clarity and purpose. Listeners will get an inside look at the mindset shifts required for growth, the importance of simplifying complexity, and how SimpleScaling Ltd. is shaping the future of business leadership. With sharp insights and a charming accent to match, Brendan delivers a masterclass in building with intention.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Jae Encarnacion speaks with Perry Aston, CEO and founder of Crowdboost Marketing. With roots in hospitality, a strong foundation from ASU’s W.P. Carey School of Business, and a sharp eye for digital innovation, Perry has led growth initiatives for businesses ranging from scrappy startups to Fortune 500 giants. He shares the story behind Crowdboost, how data and creativity fuel their marketing strategies, and what it takes to stand out in today’s fast-moving digital landscape. If you’re looking to level up your marketing game, this is the episode for you.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Olivia Sammonds speaks with Anna Maria Lee, the dynamic founder of Gachi Marketing. With a career rooted in the fast-paced world of high-growth startups, Anna shares how her experience led her to launch her own consultancy—one designed to help early-stage companies build smart, scalable marketing strategies.

Anna opens up about the key problem that inspired Gachi Marketing, the lessons she’s learned helping startups cut through the noise, and her vision for growing a purpose-driven firm. From defining product-market fit to delivering creative, data-backed campaigns, this episode is full of actionable advice for founders looking to get noticed—and grow—with intention.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Mishal Saeed chats with Janet Jack, CEO and founder of A-List Branding. With over 30 years of experience in merchandising, marketing, and strategic sales—including high-level corporate leadership roles—Janet shares her journey from shaping global lifestyle brands to launching her own consultancy. Founded in 2016, A-List Branding helps fashion and lifestyle companies build standout identities through smart strategy and deep industry insight. Tune in to hear how Janet navigated the pivot from executive to entrepreneur, and how she continues to drive growth and innovation in an ever-changing market.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Mishal Saeed sits down with Kyle Patrick Smith—better known as HR Kyle—founder of HRKyle Services. With over 25 years of HR leadership experience and the author of Recruiting Is Easy and Get the Job You Love, Kyle shares how he's bringing a bold, human-centered approach to HR consulting, leadership development, and career coaching. From launching his own firm to hosting the HRKyle podcast, Kyle opens up about what it means to lead with empathy, empower others, and build a people-first business in today’s evolving workplace landscape.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Olivia Sammons sits down with Rock DuBois, founder of Rock DuBois Coaching & Consulting, to uncover how one man’s mission to help others find clarity, confidence, and consistency led to a transformative coaching business. Rock opens up about his founding journey—from the pivotal moments that shaped his vision to the practical frameworks he now uses to empower entrepreneurs. Whether you're a founder in transition or a leader seeking your next level, Rock shares powerful insights on growth, mindset, and making the leap with purpose.

In this episode of Founders, Future, Olivia Sammonds reconnects with Scott Anderson, founder of Burnout Breakthrough, for a deeper dive into the experiences that led him to become a leading advocate for entrepreneur mental health. A seasoned founder with ten companies under his belt—including two nonprofits—Scott opens up about the emotional toll of high achievement, sharing the personal challenges that shaped his mission to help others avoid the same pitfalls.

From his early ventures to launching his executive coaching practice, Double Dare, Scott reflects on the pressures that drive burnout and the breakthrough moments that led to his purpose-driven career. He also shares future plans for scaling his impact and continuing to change the way we talk about leadership, mental health, and sustainable success.

In this inspiring episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion welcomes Jarvis Leverson, founder of The Morning Hero. Jarvis shares his powerful journey from experiencing homelessness to becoming a sought-after productivity coach and entrepreneur. With over 15 years of experience in technology and real estate sales, Jarvis has channeled his life lessons into a transformative morning routine system that empowers professionals and entrepreneurs to take back control of their time and energy.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Maria Nicholas-Groves, founder and CEO of Talent Growth Partners. With over 15 years of experience in recruitment and financial services, Maria shares how she's reshaping the way businesses in the Midwest align their talent strategies with ambitious growth goals.

The conversation dives into the inspiration behind Talent Growth Partners, how the firm is revolutionizing leadership development, and why human capital is the cornerstone of scalable success. Maria also opens up about her impactful nonprofit, Feeding Mouths, Filling Minds, which addresses childhood hunger in Africa, revealing the heart and purpose behind her entrepreneurial drive.